Shorebird Habitat - Sandusky County

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   Been looking for good shorebird habitat this year and finding it lacking?  Well, the good news is there IS a good spot in NW Ohio, but unfortunately the bad news is it is a bit of a drive from the Toledo area.

Due to a unique surface water drainage system around Bellevue, Ohio (Sandusky County) which for some reason is not working at the moment, there has been significant flooding this spring.  Creeks and ditches are nonexistent in this area.  All surface water drains into “sinkholes” which carry the water to an underground river.  The underground river is full and so water is not draining away.  When I say “significant flooding,” that is exactly what I mean.   Due to the rolling topography, the water has gathered in low-lying fields and created large ponds.  The photos below were taken in mid-April.  Some drainage is starting to occur and smaller ponds are beginning to dry up, but there is plenty of water left to keep the shorebirds happy.

These ponds began forming in early March and have been a wonderful source for ducks and shorebirds ever since.  Saturday we found 13 species of shorebirds among the thousands of birds present, including 2 Wilson’s Phalaropes and at least 4 White-rumped Sandpipers.  American Pipit numbers have been incredible as well.

The area where the best ponds occur is bordered on the south by SR 20 (although there are fields south of SR 20 as well, particularly along CR 292), CR 175 on the north, CR 278 on the west and SR 269 on the east.  It can be difficult maneuvering through the area due to continued flooding of 3-4 feet of water across some roads.  We have worked out a pretty good route to get around and to the best ponds, and if anyone is interested in checking out the area and would like more information, please contact us.  We have dubbed the ponds the York Prairie Potholes because most of them are in York Township and the area now reminds us of the prairie pothole region of N. Dakota.  It’s an incredible place at the moment with birds coming and going so no two days are exactly alike.  Just viewing the changed habitat in itself is something to see.  A couple of these ponds formed in the last few years and have become permanent.  It will be interesting to see if any of the new, larger ponds continue to exist.  If so, this could become an excellent birding area every year.  

One other point to mention, how much easier can shorebird viewing get than doing it right from your vehicle or scoping from the roadside (yes, some ponds are so big a scope is necessary and even then it is hard to see birds on the opposite side)?  Also, we’ve found no matter how quickly we move, it takes about 2 hours to cover all the ponds, so plan ahead so you’ll be sure to have plenty of time.

Besides lingering ducks and shorebirds, grasslands in the area can give you Bobolink, Sedge Wren and even a Henslow’s Sparrow.

One more thing, this great duck/shorebird habitat has come at a great cost to those living in the area (see photo below for one of many houses that has now enjoys a lakefront location).  Property damage has been costly.  Please respect the residents and their land.

Becky

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Becky C Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Eagle Joined: 24 January 2004 Online Status: Offline Posts: 370	Post Options Post Reply Quote Becky C Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Shorebird Habitat - Sandusky County Posted: 18 May 2008 at 7:17pm
	Been looking for good shorebird habitat this year and finding it lacking? Well, the good news is there IS a good spot in NW Ohio, but unfortunately the bad news is it is a bit of a drive from the Toledo area. Due to a unique surface water drainage system around Bellevue, Ohio (Sandusky County) which for some reason is not working at the moment, there has been significant flooding this spring. Creeks and ditches are nonexistent in this area. All surface water drains into “sinkholes” which carry the water to an underground river. The underground river is full and so water is not draining away. When I say “significant flooding,” that is exactly what I mean. Due to the rolling topography, the water has gathered in low-lying fields and created large ponds. The photos below were taken in mid-April. Some drainage is starting to occur and smaller ponds are beginning to dry up, but there is plenty of water left to keep the shorebirds happy. These ponds began forming in early March and have been a wonderful source for ducks and shorebirds ever since. Saturday we found 13 species of shorebirds among the thousands of birds present, including 2 Wilson’s Phalaropes and at least 4 White-rumped Sandpipers. American Pipit numbers have been incredible as well. The area where the best ponds occur is bordered on the south by SR 20 (although there are fields south of SR 20 as well, particularly along CR 292), CR 175 on the north, CR 278 on the west and SR 269 on the east. It can be difficult maneuvering through the area due to continued flooding of 3-4 feet of water across some roads. We have worked out a pretty good route to get around and to the best ponds, and if anyone is interested in checking out the area and would like more information, please contact us. We have dubbed the ponds the York Prairie Potholes because most of them are in York Township and the area now reminds us of the prairie pothole region of N. Dakota. It’s an incredible place at the moment with birds coming and going so no two days are exactly alike. Just viewing the changed habitat in itself is something to see. A couple of these ponds formed in the last few years and have become permanent. It will be interesting to see if any of the new, larger ponds continue to exist. If so, this could become an excellent birding area every year. One other point to mention, how much easier can shorebird viewing get than doing it right from your vehicle or scoping from the roadside (yes, some ponds are so big a scope is necessary and even then it is hard to see birds on the opposite side)? Also, we’ve found no matter how quickly we move, it takes about 2 hours to cover all the ponds, so plan ahead so you’ll be sure to have plenty of time. Besides lingering ducks and shorebirds, grasslands in the area can give you Bobolink, Sedge Wren and even a Henslow’s Sparrow. One more thing, this great duck/shorebird habitat has come at a great cost to those living in the area (see photo below for one of many houses that has now enjoys a lakefront location). Property damage has been costly. Please respect the residents and their land. Becky
	"And there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them." Jim Croce

foamystout Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Nestling Joined: 29 November 2004 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Post Options Post Reply Quote foamystout Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 2008 at 4:32pm
	If I remember correctly, that underground river flows through the deepest part of Seneca Caverns and surfaces at the Blue Hole where it is known as Cold Creek. Thence is flows northward and goes over a little waterfall into Sandusky Bay, near a restaurant.
	Danny Woods

Becky C Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Eagle Joined: 24 January 2004 Online Status: Offline Posts: 370	Post Options Post Reply Quote Becky C Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 2008 at 10:23pm
	I'm not sure about all of that, but the Seneca Caverns part is correct. Normally water isn't encountered until 150' below the surface. Right now they are hitting water at only 50'. We heard this isn't the first time this has happened, but it was 100 years or so ago. I just find the whole thing fascinating. Becky
	"And there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them." Jim Croce